^. 



HIBRilRY OF CONGRESS. J 



^^efMi.. 



i UNITED STATES OF AMEx^ICA. t 



ENGLISH HISTORY 

CONDENSED AND SIMPLIFIED 



FOR 

THE USE OF SCHOOLS. 

BY 

ANNA M. HYDE. 

WITH QUESTIONS. 




Q-f?<^A 



PHILADELPHIA: 

CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 

819 & 821 Market Street. 

1872. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 

ANNA M. HYDE, 

in the OflSce of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 






}f CONGRESS 
iwASHlNQTOWJ 



PEEFACE. 

A BRIEF compendium of English 
History, fuller than a mere table of 
Chronology, and yet avoiding the te- 
dious detail of ordinary history, has 
long been needed. History in out- 
line, is the same as Geography taught 
from outline maps ; it teaches us how 
to locate the important events, and fix 
them firmly in our minds, to be after- 
ward filled up, and improved, by more 
extensive study. 

The artist sketches his picture be- 
fore he applies the shading or coloring, 
and in like manner, we would trace, 

(9) . 



10 PREFACE. 



tirst upon the memory, those general 
outlines of events, which closer inves- 
tigation will only more perfectly de- 
velope. 

Priestly, in his excellent lectures on 
History, says: "One of the most use- 
ful directions that can be given for 
facilitating the study of History, is to 
begin with a compendium, or general 
view of the whole subject." 

In preparing this little work, great 
care has been taken that all state- 
ments, and data, should be strictly 
correct; while an impartial view has 
been aimed at, both in pohtics and 
religion. 



CONTENTS. 



Brief Compendium of English History 13 

William the Conqueror...... 21 

William II 23 

Henry I 24 

Stephen ^ 25 

Henry II 26 

Richard I 28 

John 30 

Henry III 32 

Edward I 33 

Edward II 34 

Edward III 34 

Richard II 36 

Henry IV 37 

Henry V 39 

Henry VI 40 

Edward IV 42 

Edward V 43 

Richard III .,...,.,..♦. 44 

11 



12 CONTENTS. 

Henry VII 45 

Henry VIII 46 

The Reformation 48 

Edward VI 52 

Mary 53 

Elizabeth 55 

James I .^ 57 

Charles 1 58 

Oliver Cromwell 60 

Charles II 62 

James II... 63 

William and Mary 65 

Anne , 67 

George 1 68 

George II 70 

George III 72 

George IV 74 

William IV 76 

Victoria 1 77 

The Government 80 

Chronological List of the Sovereigns of England. ..81 



\ CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 



OP 



ENGLISH HISTORY 

England, or Britain, as it was first 
called, was little known until the reign 
of the Koman Emperor, Julius Caesar, 
about fifty years before Christ. The 
inhabitants were called Britons, and 
they were a wild and barbarous people 
of Celtic origin. They were Pagans, 
and their priests were called Druids. 

These Druids were high in authori- 
ty, and held the people in slavish sub- 
jection, worshiping in groves of oak, 
which, with the mistletoe, they re- 
garded as sacred. Ruins of their tem- 

2 (13) 



14 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

pies still exist, and some of their 
maxims are also preserved; but these 
throw little light upon their customs 
or creed. 

The name, Britain^ is supposed to 
mean an island in the outer sea ; the 
Atlantic Ocean being thus distinguish- 
ed from the Mediterranean, which was 
known as the inner sea. The word is 
no doubt derived from a Phenician 
one, Brithan^ signifying outer. 

It had other names, however, given 
by different foreign nations; Albion^ 
from the white cliflfs on its coasts, was 
derived from the Latin word Alhus — 
white. Scotland was first called Cale- 
donia, and Wales Cambria, The name 
of England was derived from the 
Angles^ a Saxon tribe, who came from 
the north. 

The Romans, under Julius Csesar, 
invaded Britain about the year 54, 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 15 

before Christ; but its conquest was 
not effected until A. D. 41, when the 
Roman Government was established 
there by the Emperor Claudius, and 
the British king, Caractacus, was car- 
ried, a prisoner to Rome. 

The natives being constantly an- 
noyed by the inroads of the Scots and 
Picts, two warlike nations in the north 
of Scotland, the Romans built walls 
across the island to protect them, the 
remains of which are still to be seen. 
"While the Romans held sway in 
Britain, these enemies did not cross 
the walls, but in the fifth century, the 
Romans, finding enough to do in still- 
ing the rebellions nearer home, aban- 
doned their British possessions, and 
the Britons were compelled to ask 
protection from their Saxon neighbors. 
This was the first entrance of the 
Saxons into Britain, and in the sixth 



<16 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

century, they conquered and took pos- 
session of the whole country, after 
which the ancient Britons existed no 
longer as a distinct people. Their 
descendants are the present inhabit- 
ants of Wales. 

The Saxons divided the island into 
seven kingdoms, called a Heptarchy, 
and they were governed by seven 
kings, an arrangement which con- 
tinued for about two hundred years, 
when, after much fighting among 
themselves, the whole were united 
under one of the kings — Egbert — and 
thus it became one kingdom. Egbert 
was, therefore, the first king of En- 
gland^ a name then given to it by 
himself. 

In his reign the Danes first began 
to trouble England, and continued to 
do so for more than two hundred 
years. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 17 

Egbert's successors were first, his 
son Ethelwolf, and then the sons of 
Ethelwolf— Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Eth- 
elred, and Alfred. During the reign 
of Ethelbert, Augustine was sent by 
Gregory, Bishop of Rome, to convert 
the Anglo-Saxons ; and the Church of 
Rome attempts from this fact to prove 
that England derived its knowledge 
of Christianity entirely from that 
source. But it is confidently asserted 
by Eusebius, TertuUian, and other 
early historians, that the Gospel was 
preached in Britain by some of the 
Apostles themselves ; while it is well 
known that St. Alban was martyred 
there for his religion, nearly three 
hundred years before St. Augustine 
landed. 

Alfred, (called " The Great,") who 
reigned in the latter part of the ninth 
century, was a good and pious prince, 

2* 



18 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

as well as an able statesman and 
scholar. He founded the University 
of Oxford, established trial by jury, 
divided England into counties, pre- 
pared laws, and introduced many im- 
provements in architecture and ship- 
building. During this reign the 
Danes overrun the kingdom, and Al- 
fred was obliged to abandon his 
throne, and live in retirement, dis- 
guising himself as a cowherd, and 
hiring himself to do the commonest 
labor. As soon as a favorable op- 
portunity arrived, however, he re- 
sumed command, and with a few 
firm adherents, routed the Danes, 
and once more seated himself on 
the throne, where he proved him- 
self the best king that ever reigned 
in a barbarous age. Died A. D. 
900. 

He was succeeded by his son Ed- 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 19 

ward, who, though a virtuous king, 
was inferior to his father. 

Next, Athelstan, who caused the 
Scriptures to be translated into the 
Saxon language. 

Next — Edmund, Edred, Edwy, Ed- 
gar, Edward, (called "The Martyr," 
because he was murdered by his 
mother-in-law to make way for her 
own son,) Ethelred II., and lastly, 
Edmund, surnamed "Ironsides," be- 
cause he was strong and powerful in 
body. 

At this time, (1017,) the Danes, 
under Sweyn, King of Denmark, sub- 
dued England, and he was proclaimed 
King. Dying soon after, Sweyn was 
succeeded by his son Canute, who held 
also the throne of Denmark and Nor- 
way. His successors were his two 
sons, Harold and Hardicanute ; at the 
death of the latter, the English threw 



4 

20 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

off the Danish yoke, and restored the 
Saxon line by giving the crown to 
Edward, son of Ethelred. 

Edward was surnamed " The Con- 
fessor," because he affected a monkish 
sanctity of hfe ; and as he was entirely 
* governed by the clergy, they honored 
him as a saint, pretending that his 
touch could cure the disease known as 
" king's evil." That superstitious cus- 
tom was continued until the reign of 
Queen Anne, and it is said that the 
learned Dr. Johnson was touched by 
her for the cure of the same. 

Edward the Confessor died in 
1065, and was the last Saxon king. 
He was the founder of Westminster 
Abbey. 

Harold, brother-in-law of Edward, 
caused himself to be proclaimed king; 
but William, Duke of Normandy, re- 
solved to dispute his claim, and having 



OP ENGLISH HISTORY. 21 

landed with an army in England, they 
met Harold and his followers at Hast- 
ings, where a great battle was fought. 
The result was that Harold was slain, 
and William, hence called " The Con- 
queror," became king. This is gen- 
erally called the "Norman Conquest." 

NOEMAN LINE. 

William the. Conqueror. 

Character. - — He possessed some 
good, but many bad qualities. He was 
very tyrannical, and introduced the 
Feudal system into England, by which 
the whole tenure of landed property 
was changed, and divided among his 
Norman favorites. He possessed supe- 
rior talents, and was the most powerful 
sovereign of his time; but his great 
love of power made him regardless of 
justice or humanity. 



22 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Possessions. — England and Nor- 
mandy. 

jRemarkahle Events of the Reign, — 
He planted a forest, in order to gratify 
his taste for hunting, which has always 
retained the name of New Forest, and 
established the most severe laws to 
protect the game for his own use. 
AVhoever dared to kill a stag, or even 
a hare, had his eyes put out! He 
also made a law requiring that, at 
eight o'clock in the evening, a bell 
should be rung as a signal for extin- 
guishing all lights and fires. This 
was called the " Curfew," or cover-fire 
bell. 

Bied.—lOm. 

Children, — Eobert, William Eufus, 
and Henry. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 23 

William II. {surnamed Rufus,) 

Character. — Cruel and tyrannical, 
with few redeeming virtues-, 

Possessions.-^'Euglau.d and Nor- 
mandy. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The Crusades were commenced. 
These were called holy wars, and 
their object was to regain possession 
of the holy Sepulchre, which, with 
other places in Palestine, had fallen 
into the hands of the Turks and Sara- 
cens. A superstitious zeal animated 
all the kings and princes of Europe, 
and they left their kingdoms and pos- 
sessions to engage in the strange en- 
terprise. 

Died. — Accidentally shot while 
hunting in the New Forest, A. D. 
1100. 

Children. — None. 



24 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Henry I. 

Character. — A wise and learned 
king; proficient in all the literature 
of the times. 

Possessions. — England and Nor- 
mandy. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
He aboHshed the "Curfew," and re- 
leased his subjects from many other 
exacting laws made by his father, 
William the Conqueror. His only 
male heir was drowned while crossing 
the channel from Normandy, and in 
sight of the English shore ; this event 
so sorely afiiicted the king that he was 
never afterward known to smile. He 
married Matilda, great-grand-daugh- 
ter of* Edmund Ironsides, and thus 
the Saxon and Norman lines became 
, united. 

Died,— nS5. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 



Children, — William, who died be- 
fore his father, and Maud, or Matilda, 
who married Geoffry Plantagenet. 
From them sprang the house of Plan- 
tagenet. 



Stephen. 

Line of Blots. 

Character. — He was the nephew of 
Henry I., and grandson of William 
the Conqueror. His reign was a 
continual contest with his cousin Ma- 
tilda, Henry's daughter, to whom her 
father bequeathed the crown. The 
difficulties were at length settled by 
an agreement, whereby Stephen was 
to keep possession during his life, after 
which the crown was to revert to 
Henry II. son of Matilda. He was 
in some respects brave and generous, 



26 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

but had the guilty conscience of the 
usurper. 

Possessions. — England. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The insecurity felt by Stephen made 
him anxious to secure the good-will 
and favor of the nobles. With this 
view, he granted them liberty to for- 
tify their castles, besides other privi- 
leges, which made them all petty 
sovereigns in their own dominions, 
and weakened the king's own power. 
Disputes and wars grew out of this 
state of affairs, which continued dur- 
ing the whole reign. 

i)^>rf.— 1154, 

Children. — William, Earl of Bou- 
logne. 

Henry II. 
House of Plantagenet. 
Character. — A powerful prince, who 



OF ENOLISH HISTORY. 27 

proved his wisdom by endeavoring to 
restrain the power of the Pope, the 
clergy, and the nobles. He granted 
many privileges to the middle class of 
the people, and although he was sensual 
and haughty, with many vices, he had 
also many virtues. 

Possessions. — ^England, Normandy, 
and Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
Thomas- a-Becket was one of the most 
noted personages of the reign. He 
had been raised from a humble station 
to be Archbishop of Canterbury, and 
lived in great magnificence ; but hav- 
ing displeased the king, the latter ex- 
pressed a hasty wish to be rid of him. 
Four of his knights hearing this, went 
and murdered Becket on the very 
steps of the altar. Miracles were said 
to be wrought at the martyr's tomb, 
and this unhappy transaction resulted 



^ 



28 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

in favor of the church, rendering en- 
tirely useless the king's former efforts 
to free himself j5:om the Pope's rule. 
In order to keep the peace of his 
kingdom, Henry was forced to make 
a pilgrimage to the tomb of Becket, 
there to be scourged by the monks of 
Canterbury. The latter part of his 
life was embittered by the undutiful 
conduct of his children. 

Died.— U89. 

Children. — Henry, Geoffry, Rich- 
ard, John, and three daughters; the 
two younger sons succeeded, 

Richard I. {surnamed Cceur de Lion^ 
or the Lion Hearted.^ from his 
valor.) 

Character. — He shared the general 
zeal which animated so many others 
of his day, and engaged in the Cru- 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 29 

sades, thus neglecting his kingdom 
and home affairs, while he was fighting 
in the Holy Land. He was a man of 
considerable mental ability, though 
lacking discretion. 

Possessions.— England and Nor- 
mandy. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
At his coronation a disgraceful mas- 
sacre of the Jews took place. In 
order to raise money for his Crusade, 
he sold many high offices, titles, &c., 
and thus impoverished his kingdom, 
whilst insurrections were occurring 
continually during his absence. 

On his way home from Palestine, 
he was shipwrecked and taken pris- 
oner in Austria, and a ransom of 
one hundred thousand marks, or about 
two thousand two hundred and twen- 
ty-two dollars was paid by his poor 
subjects before he was released. 

8* 



30 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Died, — He was shot at the siege of 
Chains, a castle in France, 1199. 
Children, — None 



John {surnamed Lackland^ because he 
inherited none from his father). 

Character. — ^Weak, unfortunate and 
wicked; continually at war with the 
Barons and the Popes. He is said to 
have murdered Arthur, the rightful 
heir to the crown, and as Arthur was 
claimed as a subject of the king of 
France, John was compelled to forfeit 
his possessions in Normandy as a pen- 
alty for the offense. Thus Normandy 
passed from the dominion of England, 
and was united to France. 

Possessions. —-^^xi^^xidi. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign.— 
John, having greatly displeased the 
Pope, the whole kingdom was placed 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 31 

under an interdict, which prevented 
his subjects from obeying his laws, 
and then the Pope granted England 
to the king of France. This brought 
John to terms, and in order to appease 
the pontiff's anger, he went down on 
his knees to the Pope's legate, de- 
livering up his crown, and promis- 
ing submission. After three days 
suspense, it was restored to the 
king, who received it again on his 
knees. 

The greatest act of the reign was 
the signature of the Magna Charta, or 
great charter of rights, which has al- 
ways been considered the foundation 
of English liberty. This was done 
most reluctantly, but was forced from 
him by the Barons, who saw that ha 
was trying to make himself an abso- 
lute monarch. 

Died.— 1216. 



A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 



Children. — Five. Henry, the eldest, 
succeeded. 



Henry IIL 

Character, — Weak, inefficient, and 
led by favorites, who governed him 
entirely. 

Possessions. — England. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
His reign lasted fifty-six years, during 
which civil wars and contentions were 
incessant; but the Barons being suc- 
cessful in their demands, obtained from 
the weak-minded monarch a further 
acknowledgment of their rights by his 
confirmation of the great charter. 
The shires or counties were first rep- 
resented in Parliament in this reign, 
two knights being sent from each 
shire. 

Died.— 1212. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 33 

Chiidren. — Several, Edward suc- 
ceeded him. 

Edward I. {surnamed Long Shanks.) 

Character. — Unlike his father, he 
was an able and excellent sovereign, 
extending the commerce of his coun- 
try and doing all in his power to 
increase its glory and importance. 

Possessions. — England and Wales. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The conquest of Wales. After this 
occurred, his oldest son being born in 
Wales, the title of Prince of Wales 
was then, and ever since, given to the 
oldest son of the king or queen of 
England. In this reign the House of 
Commons was modeled in its present 
form. 

Died.— ISO! 

Children. — Several. Edwaid, Prince 
of Wales, was his successor. 



34 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Edward II. 

Character. — Totally different from 
his father, being neither a great man, 
nor a good king. 

Possessions. — England and Wales. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
In attempting to subdue Scotland, the 
English were defeated at Bannock- 
burn by the Scotch. 

Died. — He was murdered in Berk- 
ley Castle by order of his wife, Isa- 
bella, 1328. 

Children. — Edward, his successor, 
and two daughters. 

Edward III. 

Character. — A wise and glorious 
king, — one, of whom England may 
well be proud. In the relations of 
husbard and father he is to be ad- 



f 

* OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 35 

mired, and his faithful wife, PhiHppa, 
with his son, the Black Prince, were 
illustrious characters. The latter part 
of his life, after their deaths, was 
marked by more indolence and weak- 
ness ; but he deserves a high place in 
history. 

Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
Wales and Ireland. 

Refuarkable Events of the Reign, — 
The English regained some of their 
possessions in France by the success- 
ful battles of Cressy and Poictiers, in 
which the Black Prince shone con- 
spicuously. In the battle of Cressy, 
cannon were first used by the EngHsh. 
Chivalry was now at its height in En- 
gland, and the Order of the Garter 
was instituted in this reign. In these 
days lived WicklifFe, the Reformer. 

Edward, the Black Prince (so called 
from the color of his armor), died 



36 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

during the lifetime of his father, aged 
forty-five years, deeply regretted by 
the nation. He was brave and gener- 
ous, and was but sixteen years old 
when he took part in the battle of 
Cressy. He left one son, Richard. 

Died.— Edward HI. died 1377. 

Children. — Edward, the Black 
Prince, William, Lionel, John of 
Gaunt, and several others. 

Richard IL 

Character. — He was the son of the 
Black Prince, and succeeded at the 
age of eleven years. He was weak 
and perfidious, unfit to rule, and was 
therefore deposed by Parliament. 

Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
Wales and Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
After Richard was deposed, Henry, 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 37 

Duke of Lancaster, usurped the 
throne, and that unfortunate king was 
murdered in Pomftet Castle. This 
usurpation gave rise to the contests 
between the two rival houses of York 
and Lancaster, commonly called the 
Wars of the Roses, because each party 
wore roses as badges. The first poll- 
tax was levied in England. 

Z)^^^.— Murdered in 1399. 

Children. — None. 



Henry IV. 

Souse of Lancaster. 

Character. — Being a usurper, he 
was therefore constantly uneasy and 
apprehensive of losing his crown. 
Cruel and oppressive, in this reign 
the first Protestant martyrs were 
burnt at the stake. 

4 



38 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Possessions. — England, Normandy, 
Wales and Ireland 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 

As Richard II. left no children, the 
rightful heir was the son of his next 
brother, Lionel ; Henry, being the son 
of a still younger brother, had there- 
fore no claim to the kingdom, and al- 
though he succeeded in usurping the 
crown, there arose fierce contests be- 
tween the allies of the wronged house 
of York, and that of Lancaster, to 
which he belonged. These are known 
in history as the " Wars of the Roses," 
the house of York adopting a white 
rose as a badge, and that of Lancaster 
a red one. These wars lasted many 
years, and were finally closed by the 
marriage of Henry VII. of the house 
of Lancaster with the legal heiress of 
the house of York. 

Diedr-UlS 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 39 

Children, — Henry, who succeeded 
him, Thomas, John and Humphrey. 



Henry V. 

Character, — Before his accession to 
the throne, he was said to be dissipa- 
ted and fond of low company; but 
this was put away as soon as he be- 
came a king. He was warhke and 
brave, and won victorious laurels by 
his successful invasion of France. 

P(?55^55zo??5.-^-England, Normandy, 
Wales, Ireland and France. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
The battle of Agincourt was one of 
the most celebrated in English his- 
tory; and the English, though fight- 
ing in an enemy's country, disabled in 
a measure by sickness, and inferior in 
numbers, gained a most decisive vic- 
tory over the French. A treaty was 



40 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

then made between Henry V. of En- 
gland and Charles VI. of France, by 
which the latter country was to con- 
tinue in possession of the French 
king during his lifetime, and then to 
become the property of England. 
Charles also gave Henry his daughter 
in marriage. 

The principles of the Reformers be- • 
gan to gain ground, although persecu- 
tion and martyrdom still prevailed. 

Died. — 1422, aged thirty-four years. 

Children. — One. Henry VI. 



Henry VI. 

Character. — He inherited the throne 
Avhen only nine months old, and 
whether his mind was naturally weak, 
or his education at fault, he showed 
little capacity for government. He 
possessed many of the more quiet and 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 41 

gentle virtues, but wanted those quali- 
ties especially needed in a king. 

His wife, Margaret of Anjou, was 
totally different from him, and fought 
battles throughout England, against 
the house of York, while he remained 
at home, inactive. At Tewkesbury 
she was defeated, and saw her only 
son, Edward, murdered. She was af- 
terward taken prisoner herself, but in 
the next reign was ransomed, and sent 
to France. 

Possessions, — England; Wales, and 
Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reipi. — 
Before he was ten years old he was 
crowned king of France, according to 
the treaty made with his father ; but 
owing to his inactivity and imbecility, 
it gradually passed from his possession, 
together with all that his predecessors 
had gained there, except Calais. One 

4* 



42 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

of the most remarkable personages of 
the times was Joan of Arc, a beauti- 
ful maiden of eighteen, of humble 
parentage, who took command of the 
French troops at the siege of Orleans, 
and having defeated the English, con- 
ducted Charles the dauphin, to 
Rheims, where he was crowned king 
of France. 

Died. — Murdered in the Tower, 
1471. 

Children. — Edward, murdered at 
Tewkesbury before his father's death. 

Edward IV. 

Character. — He obtained his crown 
by bloodshed and cruelty, and main- 
tained his right in the same way. 
Was handsome in person, but without 
virtue. 

Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
Ireland. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 43 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The wars of the Roses were still 
waged furiously, and dreadful battles 
were continually taking place. Ed- 
ward caused the murder of many 
noblemen, and ordered his own 
brother, the Duke of Clarence, to 
be drowned in a butt of Malmsley 
wine. 

i)^^e?.— 1483. 

Children. — Edward, Richard, and 
Elizabeth, with perhaps other daugh- 
ters. 

Edward V. 

He came to the throne at twelve 
years of age, and reigned but two 
months. He and his younger brother, 
Richard, Duke of York, were smoth- 
ered in the Tower, by their uncle and 
guardian, Richard, Duke of Glouces- 
ter, afterward Richard III., to whose 



44 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

care they had been committed by their 
father. 

Richard III. 

Character. — No character in En- 
ghsh history is more odious than this. 
He was the murderer of his brother's 
children, and although the crown be- 
longed of right to his brother's daugh- 
ter, still he took possession. He was 
hump-backed, and ugly both in mind 
and body, and was deceitful and 
cruel. 

Possessions.— Ein^^xidi^ Wales, and 
Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
Although for some time the throne 
had been held by the house of York, 
the contests between the two rival 
houses still continued, and soon after 
Richard ascended the throne, Henry 
Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and repre- 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 45 

sentative of the house of Lancaster, 
came over from France, and landed in 
Wales with a small army. King 
Richard met them at Bos worth, with 
a large force, but was slain on the 
field, when Henry was proclaimed 
king, with the title of Henry VII. 

nied.—U85,. 

Qhildren, — One, who died before 
him. 

Henry VII. 
Line of Tudor. 

Character. — Peaceable, and fond of 
commerce, which he greatly promoted. 
He was, however, very avaricious, and 
loved to hoard money, using, in many 
cases, dishonorable means in order to 
increase his riches. 

Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
Ireland. 



46 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Edward IV., and by this means united 
the houses of York and Lancaster, 
ending the long wars of the Eoses, 
which had devastated the kingdom for 
more than eighty years. 

During this reign, Christopher Co- 
lumbus, under the patronage of the 
King and Queen of Spain, discovered 
the new world. 

i>^Vd— 1509. 

Children. — Arthur, who died young ; 
Henry, who succeeded him ; Marga- 
ret, wife of James IV. of Scotland, 
and Mary, wife of Louis XII. of 
France. 

Henry VIII. 

Character. — Learned, ambitious, 
very tyrannical, and cruel. His treat- 
ment of his six wive s was a great blot 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 47 

upon his character. His first wife 
was Catherine of Arragon, his brother's 
widow; he grew tired of her, and di- 
vorced her. The second was Anne 
Boleyn, who was beheaded. The 
third was Jane Seymour, who died. 
The fourth, Anne of Cleves, who was 
also divorced; fifth, Catherine How- 
ard, who was beheaded, * and sixth, 
Catherine Parr, who was fortunate 
enough to outHve him. 

Possessions, — England, "Wales, and 
Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
At this time Ireland was made a king- 
dom, although still united to England. 
This reign is chiefly remarkable, as 
being the era of the Reformation. 
Henry's divorce from Catherine of 
Arragon was opposed by the Pope, 
and on account of that opposition, he 
withdrew all allegiance to Rome. As 



48 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

good is often permitted to grow out 
of evil, so from this unworthy begin- 
ning sprang the great and glorious 
Reformation from the arcumulated 
errors of Popery, and the establish- 
ment of the reformed religion in En- 
gland. Henry also caused the first 
English translation of the Bible to be 
made. 

Died— 154:1. 

Children. — Edward (son of Jane 
Seymour), who succeeded him; Mary 
(daughter of Catherine Arragon), who 
reigned ; Elizabeth (daughter of Anne 
Boleyn), who also reigned. 



The Reformatiojst. 

When we speak of the Reformation, 
we mean the reforming of the Chris- 
tian religion from the gross errors of 
Popery ; thus restoring it to the purity 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 49 

of doctrine which marked it at the be- 
ginning. 

In a few centuries after our Sa- 
viour's death these errors began, and 
gradually increased and gained ground 
until, at this time, the Church of En- 
gland protested against the Pope's 
supremacy, and thereby took the first 
great step toward reformation in doc- 
trine. 

The Church of England is as old 
as Christianity itself, only her Protest- 
antism is new, and this, because the 
corruptions against which she pro- 
tested^ are of modern origin. In the 
same decided manner, the early Fath- 
ers of the Church protested against 
the other various heresies which, from 
time to time, crept in. 

From the first establishment of 
Christianity there was a bishop of 
Rome, but not until the middle of the 



50 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

eighth century did he attempt to claim 
any supremacy over other bishops. 
At that time he obtained some tempo- 
ral dominions, and by degrees attained 
to great power, adding many new 
dogmas to the faith, and proclaiming 
himself supreme head of the Church, 
with the title of Christ's vicegerent on 
earth. He also declared himself in- 
fallible, and owing to the ignorance 
and superstition of the times, soon 
obtained an unlimited power over all 
the kings and princes of Europe, 
which continued from the seventh to 
the sixteenth centuries. 

Yet c:t different times individual 
reformers arose, and protested against 
these novelties and corruptions; but 
little advance was made toward curing 
the difficulties, and persecution await- 
ed every one who dared to speak or 
write any thing contrary to the pre- 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 51 

vailing religion. But notwithstanding 
this, the writings of Luther, Calvin, 
WicklifFe, and other great men had 
gained some ground in the minds of 
the people, and the period of Henry 
VIII. and his quarrels with the Pope, 
was the one chosen by God for the 
light of the Gospel to break in upon 
the darkness. 

Henry being angry at the Pope's 
refusal to grant a divorce, at once 
threw off his allegiance, and proclaim- 
ed himself head of the English 
Church. This was a most important 
step, and under the protection of the 
king, the Church was purged of many 
of its grossest corruptions, the Bible 
translated into English, English pray- 
ers used in the churches, and all 
monasteries and convents closed. In 
the brief reign of Edward VI. which 
followed, these principles were more 



52 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

firmly established, and many other 
States of Europe embraced the re- 
formed religiou. The sixteenth cen- 
tury is therefore known as the Era of 
the Reformation. 



Edward VI. 

Character, — He was only nine years 
old when his father died, and his reign 
lasted but seven years. He wafe reared 
in the Protestant religion, and was 
greatly instrumental in its promotion, 
being pious, and fond of godly learn- 
ing. 

Possessions. — England, "Wales, and 
Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
The wonderful spread of the Protest- 
ant religion. Edward, knowing how 
bigoted a papist his sister Mary was, 
made a will bequeathing the crown to 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 53 

his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, a lovely, 
pious, and accomplished person, great- 
ly attached to the principles of the 
Eeformation. At his death, she was 
unwillingly seated on the throne by 
some of her ambitious relatives, but 
before she was proclaimed Queen, 
Mary's friends interposed, and poor 
Lady Jane was sent to the tower, and 
there beheaded, with her husband, 
Lord Guilford Dudley. She met her 
fate with calmness and resignation, at 
the early age of sixteen, a rare exam- 
ple of a truly Christian lady. 

Died, — Edward died 1553; of con- 
sumption. 

Children, — None. 

Mary. 
Line of Tudor. 
Character, — She was bigoted in her 
attachment to the Romish Church, in 

5* 



54 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

which she had been educated, and her 
inhuman persecutions of the Protest- 
ants gained for her the title of the 
" Bloody Mary." 

Possessions. — England, Wales, and 
Ireland. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The dreadful persecutions, during 
which nine hundred persons suffered 
death by order of the queen. Among 
them were bishops Latimer, Cranmer, 
Ridley and Hooper. Mary was mar- 
ried to Philip of Spain, and through 
that alliance was drawn into a war 
with France, by which she lost Calais, 
the only remaining possession held 
there by the English. 

Died.— 1558. 

Children. — None. 



of english history. 55 

Elizabeth. 
Line of Tudor. 

Character. — She was universally re- 
spected for her sound judgment ; was 
dignified and courteous, and well 
versed in all the learning and accom- 
plishments of her day. During her 
reign, the nation enjoyed greater 
prosperity than it had ever before 
known. 

Po55^55zo?i5.— England, Wales, Ire- 
land, and Colonies in America. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
Elizabeth, being a Protestant, restored 
all the laws made by her brother, Ed- 
ward VI. 5 which had been repealed 
by Mary, and the Church of England 
was placed on a more permanent foot- 
ing. 

Virginia was discovered by Sir 



66 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Walter Raleigh, and named after her, 
as the Virgin Queen. 

The Spanish Armada was a formid- 
able fleet, sent out by Philip II. of 
Spain, to conquer England. The 
Pope also assisted in the undertaking, 
and it was styled the " Invincible Ar- 
mada;" but owing to the skill and 
daring of Admiral Drake and others, 
it was destroyed. 

The death of Mary, Queen of Scots, 
next heir to the throne, was a great 
stigma upon Elizabeth's fair name. 
Partly from jealousy, and partly from 
the persuasions of her friends, Eliza- 
beth ordered her execution, and she 
was accordingly beheaded. 

Died.— 1603. 

Children. — None, being never mar- 
ried. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 57 

James I. 
Line of Stuart. 

Character, — He was the son of the 
beheaded Mary, Queen of Scots, but 
unHke his mother, was a Protestant. 
Being arbitrary and vain, without 
judgment or proper tact, he was much 
dishked, and gained the title of "the 
wisest fool in Europe." 

Possessions, — England, Wales, Ire- 
land, Scotland, and a part of Amer- 
ica. 

JRemarkahle Events of the Reign,- — 
By the accession of James, Scotland 
was united to England, and has ever 
since formed one monarchy, called 
Great Britain. The Gunpowder Plot 
was discovered. This was a plot by 
which the Parliament house was to be 
destroyed, and was planned by Roman 
Catholics, in order to annihilate the 



58 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

king and all the most prominent men 
m the government. 

Died.— 1622. 

Children. — Henry, who died before 
his father ; Charles, who succeeded ; 
and Elizabeth, who married the king 
of Bohemia, from whom the present 
royal family is descended. 



Charles I. 
Line of Stuart. 

Character. — His character has been 
diiferently set down. Some consider 
him a martyr, and others think that 
he deserved his dreadful fate. With- 
out doubt, he possessed many virtues ; 
but his wife's influence, combined with 
that of his court favorites, drew him 
uito most of his difficulties. 

Possessions. — England, Wales, Ire- 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 



land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
ica. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
Charles soon showed his love of 
power, and disregard of Parliament, 
which gave rise to many a sharp dis- 
cussion, and finall)^ ended in open war. 
The king placed himself at the head 
of one army, and the government 
formed another ; several dreadful bat- 
tles were fought, and after four years 
of civil war, the king himself was 
taken prisoner, tried by his own sub- 
jects, and condemned to be beheaded 
for making war against his Parlia- 
ment. He was executed at White- 
hall, in the prime of life, suffering 
with calmness and fortitude. 

DzV^.— Beheaded, 1649. 

Children. — Charles II.; a son who 
died young; James, afterward king; 
and several daughters, one of whom 



60 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

married the Prince of Orange, father 
of William III. 



INTEEREGNUM, OR COMMON- 
"WEALTH. 

Oliver Cromwell. 

From the death of Charles I. in 
1649, until 1653, the government was 
administered by the ''Long Parlia- 
ment," so called from the length of its 
continuance ; it was composed gener- 
ally of able men, who displayed great 
ability to govern. 

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell, one of 
its members, was chosen Protector, 
and invested with power nearly equal 
to that of a king. He was a shrewd 
and able governor, an enthusiast, if 
not a bigot, and wielded the sceptre 
with a severity almost amounting to 
tyranny. He was one of the most 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 5J 

rigid of the Puritan sect, then jusl 
risen in England and Scotland, and a 
leader among them in their severe 
quarrels with the government, con- 
triving so to raise the storm of politi- 
cal and religious fanaticism, as to dis- 
turb entirely the old order of the 
Church. 

He was certainly a most remarkable 
man, but partial historians give very 
different views of his character. 

Died.— 1658, 

Children. — Richard Cromwell, who 
succeeded him as Protector, and seve- 
ral others. 

Kichard Cromwell possessed neither 
the energy nor the ambition of his 
father, and after retaining the dignity 
of the Protectorate for a few months, 
resigned his office. 



62 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

EBSTOEATION OF THE KING. 

Charles II. 

Line of Stuart. 

Character, — He has been called the 
"Merry Monarch," because he loved 
pleasure better than business. He 
was witty, but licentious, and his court 
was noted for the loose state of its 
morals. 

Possessions, — England, Wales, Ire- 
land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
ica, Asia, and Africa. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
During Cromwell's administration, 
Charles II. was obliged to wander in 
disguise, and made many narrow 
escapes from his pursuers, who were 
seeking him everywhere without suc- 
cess. The violence of party spirit was 
quelled by the successful management 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 63 

of Gen. Monk, a military commander 
in Scotland, who prepared the way for 
the king's restoration, an event very 
welcome to the people, tired of the 
republican experiment. In 1664, 
Charles made \^ar with Holland, by 
which the State of New York, then a 
Dutch colony, was transferred to the 
English. In 1665, the plague ravaged 
London, carrying off one hundred 
thousand of its inhabitants; in the 
following year, a great fire destroyed 
fourteen thousand of its houses, be- 
sides eighty-nine churches. 

Died.— 1685. 

Children. — None legitimate. 

James II. 

Line of Stuart. 

Character. — A bigot to the Roman 
Catholic religion, weak minded and 



64 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

cruel. His blind zeal cost him his 
kingdom. 

Possessions, — England, Wales, Ire- 
land, Scotland, and Colonies in Amer- 
ica, Asia, and Africa. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The king's great desire was to restore 
Popery to England, but this could not 
be done; and the people, disgusted 
with his principles and practice, invit- 
ed William, Prince of Orange, who 
was married to Mary, daughter of 
James IT., to be their king. James 
finding himself totally abandoned by 
his subjects, and William and Mary 
having been proclaimed sovereigns, he 
left England, and thus abdicated his 
throne, taking refuge in France. Af- 
terward, assisted by France, James 
made an effort to recover his kingdom, 
and landed his army in Ireland. The 
Irish Roman Catholics rose in his 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 65 

favor ; William hastened to meet him ; 
and the two armies met on the banks 
of the Boyne, when "William gained a 
complete victory. James made other 
ineffectual attempts to regain his lost 
crown, but finally retired to France, 
where he died. 

Died.— 1101. 

Children.— Mar J and Anne by his 
first wife. Lady Anne Hyde, who both 
succeeded ; by his second wife he had 
one son, Edward, who being a Roman 
Catholic, could not reign, though he 
attempted it. He is called in history 
" the Pretender." 

William and Mary. 

Line of Nassau. 

Characters. — William was a great 
warrior, and strongly attached to the 
Protestant religion. In his private 

6^ 



QQ A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

character he was gloomy and re- 
served. 

Mary being the eldest daughter of 
James II., was the rightful heir to the 
throne, her husband reigning with her 
by invitation of the nation. She was 
a firm Protestant, and an able woman, 
yet she seldom meddled in the afiairs 
of governuaent. She was an excellent 
wife, and truly pious. 

Possessions. — England, "Wales, Ire- 
land, Scotland, Orange, and Colonies 
in America, Asia, and Africa. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The act of placing William and Mary 
on the throne is known as the "glori- 
ous revolution of 1688." At this 
time many important additions were 
made to the English Constitution, one 
of the most important of which was, 
that "the monarch must be of the 
Protestant faith." 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 67 

The Bank of- England was estab^ 
lished. 

Died. — William in 1702. Mary in 
1694. 

Children. — None. 



Anne. 

Married to Prince George of Den- 
marh. 

Line of Stuart. 

Character. — Queen Mary naving no 
children, her sister Anne inherited the 
crown. Her private character was ex- 
cellent, but she had little ability for 
government, being chiefly led by her 
ministers. Her reign was, however, 
prosperous and happy, and from her 
many virtues she is called " the good 
Queen Anne." 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 



68 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Ireland, with Colonies in America, 
Asia, and Africa. 

JRemarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The constitutional union with Scot- 
land ; it being now settled that sixteen 
Scotch Peers should sit in the House 
of Lords, with forty-five Commoners 
in the House of Commons. This 
period is known as the Augustan age 
of English literature, and at this time 
lived some of the most brilliant 
authors in the language, among whom 
were Pope, Addison, Doctor Johnson, 
and Sir Isaac Newton. 

D^W.— 1714. 

Children. — Several, but none sur- 
vived her. 

George I. 
Line of Brunsmck. 
Character. — He was descended from 
the daughter of James I., and was the 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 69 

next Protestant heir. He was Duke 
of Brunswick and Elector of Hanover, 
and was fifty-four years of age when 
he began to reign. He was a good 
king, and free from the tyrannical 
disposition of his predecessors, the 
Stuarts. 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
rica. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
In 1715, Prince Edward, son of 
James II. (known as the Pretender), 
headed a rebellion composed of To- 
ries, w^ho were anxious to restore the 
Stuarts to the throne; but this was 
soon ended, and the Pretender was 
compelled to take refuge in France. 

The system of inoculation for the 
small-pox was introduced in England, 
being tried upon several condemned 



70 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

criminals, who were pardoned on their 
recovery, 1721. 

Died. — 1787, very suddenly, while 
in Germany. 

Children.— George II., and a daugh- 
ter, married to the king of Prussia. 

George II. 
Line of Brunswick. 

Character. — He pursued the same 
policy that gained his father so much 
respect, and ever considered the rights 
of his subjects. He is to be blamed, 
however, for his oppressive and unjust 
treatment of the American Colonies, 
a course which soon led to the war of 
independence. 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
rica. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 71 

Remarkable Eoents of the Reign. — 
Another rebellion, headed by the Pre- 
tender, which was quelled, but cost 
many lives. A war with France and 
Spain, which was closed by the treaty 
of Aix-la-Chapelle. 

Another war with France, in which 
the English were victorious, and the 
French possessions in America became 
those of England. An earthquake 
occurred in London ; ' and the city of 
Lisbon was destroyed by a severe one 
during this reign. 

Died, — 1760, very suddenly, aged 
seventy-seven. 

Children. — Frederick, Prince of 
AVales, who died before his father ; 
William, Duke of Cumberland ; Loui- 
sa, wife of the king of Denmark ; Car- 
oline, died unmarried; and Amelia, 
who died in 1785. 



72 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

George III. 

Son of Frederick^ Prince of Wales. 

Line of Brunswick. 

Character. — He was an estimable 
king, faithful in his domestic relations, 
and throughout his long reign was a 
bright example of propriety and 
virtue. 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick;- and 
Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
rica. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
The war with America, known as the 
American Revolution, in which the 
Colonies fought bravely to free them- 
selves from the English yoke, now 
grown intolerable from the taxation 
and oppressive measures forced upon 
them by their rulers. After a seven 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. Y3 

years' war, the American arms, under 
Gen. AVashington, were victorious, 
and England acknowledged the inde- 
pendence of "The United States of 
America." War with France com- 
menced in 1778, and with Spain and 
Holland in 1780. Peace was con- 
cluded in 1783. 

In 1789 the French Revolution be- 
gan, and all Europe was engaged in 
war. Napoleon Buonaparte, a Gen- 
eral in the revolutionary army, rose 
rapidly into notice, and soon assumed 
the government of France, erecting a 
military despotism, which extended 
itself over Europe. At length, by the 
united exertions of Great Britain, 
Russia, Austria, and Prussia, Buona- 
parte was dethroned, and driven from 
France to the island of Elba, in the 
Mediterranean Sea, but was there less 
than a year when he escaped, and re- 



74 A CHILD'S BRIEF CCMPENDIUM 

turned to Paris. After a brief reign 
of one hundred days, he was finally 
overthrown at the great battle of 
Waterloo, and surrendered himself to 
the Duke of Wellington, leader of the 
British army. He was now sent to 
the island of St. Helena, where he 
died in 1821, aged fifty-one. 

Died. — 1820, aged eighty- two, hav- 
ing reigned more than fifty-nine years 
The last ten years of his life he was 
insane. 

Children, — Fifteen, two of whom 
died in infancy. 

George IV. 

Line of Brunswick. 

Character, — During the last ten 
years of his father's life, he acted as 
regent, and he was fifty-eight years 
old when he became king. He was 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 75 

not a spotless character, being too fond 
of indulging his appetites; sensual, 
selfish, and extravagant. 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
rica. 

JRemarkable Events of the JReign, — 
Most of the important events last 
mentioned, as belonging to the reign 
of George III., took place while 
George IV. was regent. He was 
crowned in 1821. The trial of Queen 
Caroline, his wife, for political causes, 
was a gross outrage upon decency. 

The Catholic Relief Bill was passed, 
by which members of that Church are 
allowed to sit in bath houses of Par- 
liament. 

Died.—im^. 

CMldren, — OnOy the Princess Char- 
lotte, wife of Leopold, Prince of Saxe- 



76 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

Cobiirg. She died soon after her 
marriage. 

William IV. 

Brother of George IV. 

Line of Brunswick. 

Character, — He was a good king, 
who loved his country, and desired the 
welfare of his people. 

Possessions, — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Hanover, Brunswick, and 
Colonies in America, Asia, and Af- 
rica. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign, — 
The most important were the passage 
of an Act for Parliamentary Reform, 
and the abolition of Slavery in the 
British West Indies. 

Died, — 1837, in the seventy-second 
year t)f his age, and seventh of his 
reign. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 77 

Children, — Two, who died in in- 
fancy. 

Victoria I. 
Line of Brunswick. 

Character. — As William IV. left no 
children, the crown descended to the 
only child of his brother, the Dnke of 
Kent. She still fills the throne. She 
is a virtuous and admirable queen, a 
faithful wife, and judicious mother. 

Possessions. — Great Britain and 
Ireland, Brunswick, and Colonies in 
America, Asia, and Africa. 

Remarkable Events of the Reign. — 
On the death of William IV., the 
kingdom of Hanover was inherited by 
his brother, Ernest, Duke of Cumber- 
land, because, according to the Salic 
law, which is in force there, no female 
can rule. 

7* 



78 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM 

The coronation of Victoria took 
place in 1838, when she was aibout 
nineteen years old; and in 1840 she 
was married to her cousin, Prince 
Albert, of Saxe-Coburg. During this 
reign several important reforms have 
been enacted by Parliament, and sev- 
eral wars have taken place ; that of 
the Crimea, in which England joined 
the French and Turks, in protecting 
Turkey from the encroachments of 
Russia, and a war in India, caused by 
a revolt among the Sepoys, or natives, 
A dreadful massacre occurred there at 
that time, in which many of the white 
residents and missionaries, with their 
wives and children, were butchered 
by the Sepoys. 

China, which has always refused 
admission to her ports for foreign 
trade, is now open, and was, until the 
year 1859^ on peaceable terms with 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 79 

England; during that year a slight 
fnisunderstanding arose which at one 
time threatened serious results. Trea- 
ties of commerce have since been made, 
and their relations are now more sat- 
isfactory. 

Among many other important im- 
provements and discoveries of the 
present reign, may be mentioned, the 
introduction of the Magnetic Tele- 
graph; extension of the Railway sys- 
tem ; the building of the new Houses 
of Parliament, and the invention of the 
processes for taking Daguerreotype 
likenesses, and photographs. 

Children. — Nine; the eldest, Prin- 
cess Royal, is married to Prince Fred- 
erick William, of Prussia. The second 
is the Prince of Wales, heir-apparent 
to the throne ; married to Princess 
Alexandra, daughter of the King of 
Denmark. 



80 COMPENDIUM OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 

The Government of Great Britain 
is a limited monarchy^ being composed 
of the King, Lords, and Commons. 
No laws can be made without the con- 
sent of these three powers. 

The House of Lords is composed of 
all the nobility in England, and six- 
teen Peers from Scotland, who are 
elected out of the other Scottish no- 
bility. Ireland also sends twenty- 
eight Peers, with four Bishops. All 
other Bishops have seats in this House, 
except the four who are last conse- 
crated, and the Bishop of Sodor and 
Man. 

The House of Commons is the rep- 
resentative of the whole nation, being 
composed of Commoners, chosen by 
Commoners, every seven years. The 
whole House, including the Scottish, 
Welch, and Irish representatives, con- 
sists of six hundred and fifty-eight 
members. 



OF ENGLISH HISTORY. 81 



CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF THE SOVEREIGNS 
OF ENGLAND, 

BEFORE THE CONQUEST, 

Vb Nameg Began to Meigned 

^*'' Mames. Meign. Tears. 

1 Egbert 827 10 

2 Ethelwolf. 838 20 

3 Ethelbald 857 3 

4 Ethelbert T. 860 6 

5 Ethelred I.. ., 866 5 

6 Alfred the GrW 872 20 

7 Edward the Elder 901 24 

8 Athelstan... 925 ,15 

9 Edmund 1 940 6 

10 Edred 946 9 

11 Edwy 955 , 4 

12 Edgar .......959 16 

13 Edward II 975 3 

14 Ethelred II 978.... 37 

15 Edmund Ironsides II 1016.., 1 

16 Sweyn 1017 

17 Canute... 1017 ...19 

18 Harold 1 1036 4 

19 Hardicanute 1039 2 

20 Edward III., the Confessor...l041 25 

21 Harold II 1066 1 



SINCE THE CONQUEST. 

^«-- Xr ToWkon^MarHea. ^^f^^^ 

William 1 1066 ♦Matilda of Flanders 21 

g \ 2... William II 10S7 (Never married) 13 

I I 3...HenryI 1100 Matilda of Scotland 35 

b3 



|fi... 

i ?■•■ 



..Stephen ..1135 ....Matilda of Boulogne 19 

7 



82 A CHILD'S BRIEF COMPENDIUM, ETC. 

Ao. Names. ^Jf-f^ To Wkom Married. ^^^^ 

5... Henry II 1154...E]eanora of Aqnitaine ...34 

6...Ricliard 1 1189...Berengaria of Navarre 10 

7. ..John 1199. ..Earl Montague's daughter 17 

Avisa of Gloucester, 
Isabella of AagoulJeme. 

8. ..Henry III 1216. ..Eleanor of Provence .,,56 

9. ..Edward 1 1272...Eleanora of Castile. 35 

Mary of France. 

10...Edward II... 1307. ..Isabella of France 21 

11. ..Edward III 1328...Pliilippa of Hainanlt 50 

12. ..Richard II ^.1377. ..Anne of Bohemia 22 

Isabella of France. 

LANCASTER. 

13...Henry IV 1399. .. Mary Bohnn U 

Joanna of Navarre. 

14... Henry V 1413. ..Catherine of France .,.10 

15...Henry VI... 1422... Margaret of Anjon 38 

YORK. 

16...Edward IV 1461... Elizabeth Woodrille 22 

17. ..Edward V 1483. ..(Never married) 

18. ..Richard III 1483... Ann Nevil 2 

19...Henry VII..„ 14^...Elizabeth of York 23 

20. ..Henry VIII 1509...Catherine of Arragoa 38 

Anne Boleyn. 

Jane Sej'mour. 

Anne of Cleves. 

Catherine Howar€^. 

Catherine Parr. 

21... Edward VI 1547. ..(Never married) 6 

22...Mary r 1553... Philip II. of Spain 5 

23... Elizabeth 1558. ..(Never married) 4'4 

'24. ..James 1 1603... Anne of Denmark 22 

25. ..Charles I 1625.. Henrietta of France 24 

26... Charles II 1649. ..Catherine of Portugal 24 

27. ..James II — >, lS85...Anibe Hyde 4 

Maria of Modenai. 

28. ..William III 1689. ..Mary, daughter of James II... 13 

29. ..Anne 1702. ..George, Prince of Denmark 12 

^30...George 1 1714...Sophie of Zell 13 

31... George II... 1727...Wilhelmina of Anspach 33 

32...George III 1760...Charlotte of Mecklenburg- 

Strelitz 60 

33,..George IV 1820. ..Caroline of Brunswick 10 

34. ..William IV 1830. ..Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen... 7 

35. ..Victoria I.... ..1837. ..Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. 



QUESTIONS. 



What was known of the early history of Britain? 

What of its inhabitants, and their religion ? 

Who were the Druids ? and what is known of them ? 

What is the meaning of the word Britain f 

What other names were given to England, Scotland, 

and Wales ? 
When did the Roman invasion of Britain take place ? 
When was its conquest effected ? 
Under what emperor, and what befell the Britisk 

king ? 
What is said of the Roman walls ? 
When did the Romans abandon Britain? 
Why did the Saxons come to Britain ? 
What happened in consequence ? 
Who are the present representatives of the ancient 

Britons ? 
How did the Saxons divide the island ? 
How long did that government continue ? 
Who was the first king of England ? 
What nation then began to trouble England ? 
How long did this continue ? 
Who were Egbert's successors? 

83 



84 QUESTIONS. 



What occurred during the reign of Ethelbert ? 
What does the Church of Rome attempt to prove from 

this fact ? 
What do other writers say on the subject ? 
Who was St. Alban ? 
What is said of Alfred ? 
What important acts did he perform ? 
What nation invaded the kingdom ? And what fol- 
lowed ? 
When did Alfred the Great die ? 
Who was his successor, and what is said of him ? 
Who was the next king, and what important work 

did he accomplish ? 
Name the kings who succeeded ? 
Why was Edward styled '« The Martyr " ? 
In what year did the Danes conquer England ? 
What king then took possession, and who succeeded 

him? 
What other countries did he also govern ? 
Which two sons succeeded him ? 
When did the English throw off the Danish yoke ? 
Why was Edward styled " The Confessor " ? 
What is told of a certain superstitious custom then 

begun ? 
When did Edward the Confessor die, and what great 

building did he found ? 
Who then attempted to reign, and what is said of 

William, Duke of Normandy ? 
Relate what followed. 



QUESTIONS. 85 



NORMAN LINE. 

What was the character of William the Conqueror ? i 

What were his possessions ? ] 

What were the remarkable events of his reign ? 1 

When did his death occur ? • j 

Give the names of his children. > 

Who was his successor ? « 1 

WILLIAM II. {Surnamed Rufm,) 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions ? ^ 

What were the remarkable events of his reign ? 

When, and how did he meet his death ? i 

Who was his successor ? '' 

HENRY I. 

What was his character ? 1 

What were his possessions? '\ 
What were the most remarkable events of the reign t 
When did he die ? 

Who were his children? \ 

Who was the next king ? ^ 

STEPHEN. {Line of Blois.) 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions? \ 

What were the remarkable events of the reign ? j 

In what year did he die ? \ 

7* ' 



* QUESTIONS. 



Name his children. 
Who succeeded him ? 

HENRY II. {Home of Plantagenet) 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions? 

What were the remarkable events of the reign ? 

When did he die ? 

Who were his children ? 

Who succeeded him ? 

RICHARD L 

What was his surname, and why was it given ? 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the most remarkable events of his reign ? 

What mishap occurred to the king on his way home 

from Palestine ? 
How, where, and when did he die ? 
Did he leave children ? 
Who succeeded him ? 

JOHN. 

What was his surname, and why was it given ? 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions? 

Relate the remarkable events of the reign. 

What was the greatest act of this king ? 

When did he die ? 

How many children had he ? 

Who was his successor ? 



QUESTIONS. 87 



HENRY III. 

"What was hi& character? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the remarkable events of the reign t 

In what year did he die ? 

Had he any children ? 

Who was his successor? 

EDWARD I. 

What was his surname ? 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What remarkable events occurred during the reign f 

In what year did he die ? 

Did he leave any children ? 

Who succeeded him ? 

EDWARD II. 
What was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
State the remarkable events of the reign. 
How, where, and when did he die? 
How many children had he? 
Who was his successor? 

EDWARD III. 

What is said of his character ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What happened during this reign ? 

What is said of Edward the Black Prince ? 



QUESTIONS. 



When did Edward III. die ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who was the next king ? 

RICHARD IL 

Whose son was he, and what was his character ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What took place during his reign? 

How, and when did he die ? 

Did he leave any children ? 

Who was his successor ? 

HENRY IV. {House of Lancaster.) 
What was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What were the remarkable events of the reign ? 
When did he die ? 
Give the names of his children. 
Who was the next king ? 

HENRY V. 

What is said of his character ? 

What were his possessions? 

What were the leading events of the reign ? 

What is said of the state of religion ? 

When did he die ? 

How many children had he? 

Who was his successor? 

HENRY VI. 
Describe his character. 



QUESTIONS. 89 



What is said of his wife? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the principal events of the reign ? 

When, and in what manner did he die ? 

What is told of his son? 

Who was his successor ? 

EDWARD IV. {House of York.) 
What was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What were the striking events of the reign ? 
In what year did he die ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who succeeded him ? 

EDWARD V. 

What is said of this short reign ? 

RICHARD III. 

What is said of his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What were the events of the reign ? 
When, and where did he die ? 
Had he any children? 
Who was his successor ? 

HENRY VII. {Line of Tudor.) 
What was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
Who did he marry, and what was the happy result ? 



90 QUESTIONS. 



What most important event occurred during this 

reign? 
When did he die ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who was his successor? 

HENRY VIII. 

What was this king's character? 

Who were his wives, and what is told of them ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What great events occurred during his reign ? 

When did he die ? 

Who were his children ? 

Who was the next king ? 

What is meant by <* The Reformation " ? 

When, and how did these errors begin ? 

What is here said of the Church of England, and 
her Protestantism ? 

When did the Bishop of Rome first claim supremacy 
over other Bishops, and what is said of it ? 

W^hat is said of individual reformers, and what were 
the names of some of them ? 

State the circumstances which led to the English Re- 
formation. 

What important steps were taken during the reign 
of Henry VIII. and his successor ? 

By what glorious name, therefore, is the sixteenth 
century known ? 

EDWARD VI. 

What was the character of this king ? 



QUESTIONS. 91 



What were his possessions ? 

What were the most remarkable events of the reign ? 

When did he die ? 

Did he leave any children? 

Who was his successor ? 

MARY. 

What was the character of Queen Mary ? 

What were her possessions? 

What were the events of the reign? 

In what year did she die ? 

Did she leave any children ? 

Who was her successor? 

ELIZABETH. 

What was her character? 
What were her possessions ? 
What good deeds did this queen do ? 
What discoveries were made, and by whom? 
What is told of the Spanish Armada ? 
What cruel deed did she authorize? 
When did she die ? 
Who was her successor ? 

JAMES I. {Line of Stuart.) 
Whose son was he, and what was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
Mention the remarkable events of the reign. 
In what year did he die ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who succeeded him ? 



92 QUESTIONS. 



CHARLES I. 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions? 

What were the events leading to the civil war ? 

When and how did he die ? 

Who were his children? 

What was the *'Long Parliament" ? 
Who was Oliver Cromwell? 
What is said of his character ? 
When did he die ? 
Who was Richard Cromwell ? 
What is said of him ? 



RESTORATION. 

CHARLES II. 

What was Ms character? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the chief events of his reign ? 

When did he die? 

Did he leave any heirs ? 

JAMES II. 
What was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What was his religion ? 
State the events of his reign. 



QUESTIONS. 93 



When did he die, and where ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who succeeded him ? 

WILLIAM AND MARY. {Line of Nassau.) 
What was the character of King William III. ? 
Who was Queen Mary ? 
Name their possessions. 
How is the act of placing them on the throne known 

in history ? 
What prominent acts marked this reign ? 
In what years did they die ? 
Did they leave any children ? 
Who was their successor ? 

ANNE. . 

To whom was Queen Anne married? 

What was her character ? 

What were her possessions? 

What were the remarkable events of her reign ? 

In what year did she die ? 

Had she any children ? 

Who was her successor ? 

GEORGE I. {Line of Brunswick.) 

Who was this king, and what was his character ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What happened in the year 1715? 
What system was introduced during his reign? 
When, how, and where did he die ? 
8 



94 QUESTIONS. 



Who were his children ? 

Who succeeded to the throne ? 

t 

GEORGE II. 
What is said of this king ? 
What were his possessions ? 
What were the remarkable events of the reign ? 
When and how did he die ? 
Who were his children ? 
Who was his successor ? 

GEORGE III. 

Whose son was he ? 

What was his character? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the greatest events of the reign ? 

When did the French Revolution begin ? 

Who was Napoleon Buonaparte ? 

What of his career, and when did he die ? 

When did George III. die, and how long did he reign ? 

How many children had he ? 

Who succeeded him? 

GEORGE IV. 

What was his character? 

What were his possessions ? 

What is said of the remarkable events of the reign ? 

When did he die ? 

Had he any children ? 

Who succeeded him ? 



QUESTIONS. 95 



WILLIAM IV. 

Who was this king ? 

What was his character ? 

What were his possessions ? 

What were the remarkable events of the reign ? 

When did he die ? 

Had he any children ? 

Who was his successor ? 

VICTORIA L 

Whose daughter was Queen Victoria? 

What is said of her character? 

What are the possessions of England at the present 
time? 

What occurred on the death of William IV. ? 

When did the coronation of Queen Victoria take 
place ? 

To whom was she married ? 

What is said of the important events of her reign ? 

What of China? 

Mention some of the greatest improvements and dis- 
coveries of the present reign. 

How many children has she ? 

Who will probably be her successor ? 



What is the Government of England ? 
Of what is the House of Lords composed? 
Of what is the House of Commons the representa- 
tive ? 
Of how many members is it composed ? 



